Japan Offers Archival Evidence in Island Territorial Disputes

An aerial view of the Liancourt Rocks, called Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea.

Associated Press

The Japanese government posted two archives online Friday that it says bolster its case for sovereignty over islands also claimed by China and South Korea.

The documents, images and other records were originally held by local governments, some which were not previously available to the public, according to the Office of Policy Planning and Coordination on Territory and Sovereignty. About 100 support Japan’s case that that Liancourt Rocks, known as Takeshima in Japanese, belong to Japan, the office said. The islands are administered by South Korea, which refers to them as Dokdo.